Q: I know it’s way too early, but any idea who ends up in the first playoff?

Rich D., Omaha, Neb.

Hayes: It’s almost fitting, really. The first playoff has arrived, and everyone who looks like a contender has significant issues.

Florida State: returns only seven starters on defense with a new coordinator (Charles Kelly) and a tough schedule that includes non-conference games against Oklahoma State (Arlington, Texas), and Notre Dame and Florida in Tallahassee.

Alabama: new quarterback (Jacob Coker), revamped defense (it wasn’t as good as we thought it was last season) and a whole lot of mental uncertainty (see: fading big game confidence).

Auburn: no more Tre Mason (the reason the Tigers played for it all)

We can throw out more of the usual suspects (Oregon, Stanford, Ohio State) with more of the same issues, but don’t lose track of the two most disappointing teams last season: Florida and Michigan. Both return 17 starters from teams that tanked for various factors (mostly) out of their control, both have the talent to win their respective conferences – and both are desperate for quarterbacks to play to their potential.

If Devin Gardner and Jeff Driskel become the game-managing, playmaking quarterbacks both staffs thought they had in 2013, each can make a run at the CFP.

Hayes: Strong is doing exactly what the Texas coach, at some point, had to do by defining rival Texas A&M for what it is the last two years: third-place in the SEC West Division in 2012; fourth-place in 2013.

I’m not sure I’d call it “gadget” but you get the picture. For all the hype surrounding the Aggies, what have they done other than introduce the world to the wonder that was Johnny Manziel? It’s certainly not their play against the SEC elite in ranked games (six losses in two seasons), or that thrilling come-from-behind win over Duke in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl.

Think about this: two years ago, Kevin Sumlin had Houston unbeaten and playing in the Conference USA Championship Game – and lost to Southern Miss. Since then, he has led Texas A&M to a 20-6 record, signed a $5 million a year contract, and spearheaded momentum that convinced the university to undertake a $400 million renovation of Kyle Field.

It’s an amazing story, really – usually reserved for a program that has won a national (or even conference) title. Not for a team that used one magical game (the 2012 win at Alabama) to redefine a program.

Q: Why did a student getting attacked by Ole Miss football players not become a story until after last season and National Signing Day? Do you find that a little suspicious?

Terry Fisher, Fort Smith, Ark.

Hayes: Here’s what I find more troubling: college football is getting more and more like the NFL with each passing month. Violent behavior is ignored because of the ability to make your team better.
At some point, someone at some university must take a stand against violence. Frankly, it’s utter stupidity that it hasn’t happened already.

Instead, we have presidents and athletic directors who look the other way while players who have punched men or hit women go along their merry way and play season after season. It’s unthinkable to me that Jeremy Hill and Carlos Hyde were allowed to play last season, and will be just as shameful if Denzel Nkemdiche – who has a civil suit against him for allegedly attacking a man at a fraternity party – plays in 2014 if he is proven to be guilty in the lawsuit.

The only way this nonsense ends, sadly, is tragedy. At some point, a school will allow a convicted batterer back on the team, and he will find trouble again – only this time with more damaging results. The university will then be sued because it knew of the player’s behavior and failed to protect other students.

Quarterback Everett Golson brings another element to the position, but the Irish have bigger issues. (AP Photo)

Q: Everett Golson is back at Notre Dame. Can the Irish make a run at the playoff?

Jay Sharp, Chicago

Hayes: The natural reaction is Notre Dame lacked efficient, dynamic play at the quarterback spot in 2013, and the return of Golson means the return of the Irish. Yet we’re overlooking one thing: Golson wasn’t efficient in 2012.

Moreover, the defense is lacking difference-makers on the front four and in the secondary (if Cody Riggs were elite, he’d still be at Florida playing cornerback, not fighting for a job at safety), and the rotating ACC schedule includes games against Florida State, North Carolina and Louisville – in addition to games against USC, Stanford and Michigan.

Golson will give the Irish more dynamic ability at the quarterback spot, but the Irish are a long way from competing at the elite level on the lines of scrimmage — much less efficient play at quarterback.

Q: I’m beginning to realize that this new system won’t have polls, and we won’t know what the selection committee is thinking until October. I guess that’s a good thing, but I’ve always been a fan of polls. Any chance you can help me out with an early top 10?

Steven Park, Miami

Hayes: It will be more accurate in May after we analyze spring position battles, the impact of midterm freshmen enrollees and graduate transfers. But here’s a stab at a pre-spring top 10: